1536

1536 - The Danish Reformation

Reformationsmonumentet over for Vor Frue Kirke Following the emergence of the Lutheran Church in Germany in 1517, the Danish Church split from Rome in 1526, and the population began to turn against the Catholic Church with Copenhageners leading the way.

Many buildings belonging to the Catholic Church were looted or destroyed completely. The people of the city sided with the exiled King Christian II against the assumed heir, Christian III, from Germany. This sparked off Denmark's last civil war, Grevens Fejde (the Count's Feud 1534-36).

Afterward, the victorious Christian III laid siege on Copenhagen (during which the population is said to have been reduced to eating rats) before conquering the city in 1536. The same year Christian imprisoned his bishops, heralding the Reformation.

Subsequently Lutheranism became the country's official religion and remains so to this day.

The photo shows the Reformation Monument located across the street from Copenhagen's Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady.



City maps Basic facts Practical information History Great Danes - past Great Danes - present Historic events The Little Mermaid Tourist information Vesterbro - Copenhagen's hippest quarter Tourist > About Copenhagen > History > Historic events > 1536 1536 1536 - The Danish Reformation Following the emergence of the Lutheran Church in Germany in 1517, the Danish Church split from Rome in 1526, and the population began to turn against the Catholic Church with Copenhageners leading the way. Many buildings belonging to the Catholic Church were looted or destroyed completely. The people of the city sided with the exiled King Christian II against the assumed heir, Christian III, from Germany. This sparked off Denmark's last civil war, Grevens Fejde (the Count's Feud 1534-36). Afterward, the victorious Christian III laid siege on Copenhagen (during which the population is said to have been reduced to eating rats) before conquering the city in 1536. The same year Christian imprisoned his bishops, heralding the Reformation. Subsequently Lutheranism became the country's official religion and remains so to this day. The photo shows the Reformation Monument located across the street from Copenhagen's Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady.